DKNY Still Using Bunny Fur in the Year of the Rabbit

by Annie Hartnett · 2011-02-08 06:21:00 UTC
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Last week marked the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit in the Chinese calendar. In Chinese culture, the rabbit is a "symbol of peace, intelligence, and harmonious living." But many real rabbits don't get to live a live of peace and harmony: An estimated one billion rabbits are killed each year for their fur.

PETA is calling on animal lovers to resolve to spend the Year of the Rabbit improving lives for our long-eared friends.  PETA continues to protest against fashion designer Donna Karan, who has been nicknamed "The Bunny Butcher" by the animal rights group. Donna Karan promised to stop using fur in her DKNY designs back in 2008, but her 2011 collections still include real rabbit fur.

Last week, ShelterBox honored Donna Karan for her support of Haiti relief efforts, and PETA members showed up at the awards reception to protest. While it's important to recognize the work Karan has done for Haiti, the animal rights group was right to ask: If Donna Karan has compassion for others, why doesn't she extend that kindness to animals?

Donna Karan's designs use rabbit fur sourced from China, where the rabbits certainly don't live harmoniously. Rabbits suffer horrendous cruelty on fur farms, spending their lives crammed into wire cages, cages so tiny the animals' spines can become deformed.

Undercover investigations have revealed that rabbits are brutally slaughtered: the rabbits are electrocuted, or their throats are slit and then the animals are left to bleed out. Donna Karan is aware of this cruelty, as it has prompted her decisions to drop fur from her line in the past, but Donna Karan has to stop being wishy-washy about compassion. It's time DKNY stops using fur permanently.

Sign the petition to ask Donna Karan to stop selling bunny fur in 2011, the Year of the Rabbit.

Photo Credit: The Jeff

Annie Hartnett is a writer and animal advocate who has worked for several wildlife rehabilitation centers and environmental programs.

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